I Got You Babe

Photo by the author
 

Next time you’re down the beach with a bunch of friends and a lovely young lady asks you to join her ‘couple of friends’ at their bonfire just over the way, do it. Supremely confident, you can take comfort in knowing that you have an ace up your sleeve. No need to reveal it just yet. Listen to her. Take notice. Be a goddamn gentleman for Christ’s sake. Don’t drink too much, smoke a shit-load and let it be known that your friends should disappear into the dunes for a while. Be understanding when she talks about all the dudes that have ever treated her bad. Be gracious when she explains how great it was to meet you. Wince when she laments that she ‘wishes she could find someone like you’.

Now is the time. Whip out ‘Magic Wand’, the latest long-player from Little Wings and shove it straight into the tape deck. If she picks up an acoustic guitar and starts jamming out super pretty, soulful folk tunes while encouraging you to join in on the rhythm sticks and you’re into it, you’ve struck gold. If everyone else then springs out of the bushes with harmonicas, beer bottles half filled with sand and what not, then you’ve got yourself a bona fide party.

Little Wings is the work of Kyle Field, the man behind the band, but one who definitely gets by with a little help from his rotating list of various performers and friends. They’ll be getting in the family way when they hit our island this month for a series of shows.

VICE: So who’s going to be in the van for Australia?

Kyle: I’m playing with my lady this time so we’re looking forward to getting out and travelling again. We’re trying to make a family band after that with Leigh (who played on Magic Wand with me) and his girl who’s gonna play the drums. It’d be nice to all be together. I want it to be wholesome, like a family or something. Little Wings is occasionally a vulgar display of rock n’roll but mostly it’s pretty nourishing.

That doesn’t sound too sexy.

Um, I guess it isn’t so much about that. The music is more monogamous.

What is the sexiest music then?

I think Fleetwood Mac. I always feel like I’m on a date with them when I hear their records. It’s like someone singing in my ear the way I’d wanna be sung to.

They’d be the ultimate couple band I guess.

Right. I’m into the romantic aspect of couples, the sweetness. It seems that the things that I’m interested in are what people say or feel, the atmosphere that surrounds sex.

CHIP BUTTY
Little Wings’ album Magic Wand is out now through Popfrenzy. You can see him when he comes to Australia in February. Check popfrenzy.com.au for details.